Arunima Datta (PhD, FRHistS)
@migrationhistorian.bsky.social
Historian. Author. Associate Professor.
Studies: Britain, British Empire, South & Southeast Asia, women’s history, migration history
Author of:
Waiting on Empire: Ayahs in Britain (OUP, 2023)
Fleeting Agencies: Coolie women in Malaysia (CUP, 2021)
Studies: Britain, British Empire, South & Southeast Asia, women’s history, migration history
Author of:
Waiting on Empire: Ayahs in Britain (OUP, 2023)
Fleeting Agencies: Coolie women in Malaysia (CUP, 2021)
Excited to see my book - WAITING ON EMPIRE (Indian ayahs in Britain) sharing space with @willdalrymple.bsky.social at Chester Beatty Museum 🥳🤗
November 7, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Excited to see my book - WAITING ON EMPIRE (Indian ayahs in Britain) sharing space with @willdalrymple.bsky.social at Chester Beatty Museum 🥳🤗
Looking forward to sharing incredible stories of mobile caregivers (Indian ayahs who travelled) from 19th and 20th century.
Join your next Chester Beatty talk from anywhere in the world for just €5 - plus take part in a historian-led Q&A! 😍 ow.ly/ZMHM50XeN2g @migrationhistorian.bsky.social
#empire #ayahs #womenshistory #digitalevent
#empire #ayahs #womenshistory #digitalevent
Interested in the history of women, workers, caregivers or empire? Do we have the Zoom talk for you!
Join Dr Arunima Datta for 'Travelling Ayahs, Migration and Care Labour in the Age of Empire' on November 12 at 6pm GMT / noon CST. Book here: ow.ly/ZMHM50XeN2g
#labourhistory #migrationhistory
Join Dr Arunima Datta for 'Travelling Ayahs, Migration and Care Labour in the Age of Empire' on November 12 at 6pm GMT / noon CST. Book here: ow.ly/ZMHM50XeN2g
#labourhistory #migrationhistory
November 5, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Looking forward to sharing incredible stories of mobile caregivers (Indian ayahs who travelled) from 19th and 20th century.
Out now! Tadaaa! My essay on Indian performers in Britain
Let me know if you would like a copy and don't have access to it via your library
Let me know if you would like a copy and don't have access to it via your library
October 31, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Out now! Tadaaa! My essay on Indian performers in Britain
Let me know if you would like a copy and don't have access to it via your library
Let me know if you would like a copy and don't have access to it via your library
Reposted by Arunima Datta (PhD, FRHistS)
Arunima Datta weaves together the larger histories of colonialism, migration, adaptation, acculturation, and globalization through an incredible history of Indian curry in Britain. Check out 'Curry Tales of the Empire' today! Read here: jvc.oup.com/2021/05/27/c...
March 29, 2024 at 5:20 PM
Arunima Datta weaves together the larger histories of colonialism, migration, adaptation, acculturation, and globalization through an incredible history of Indian curry in Britain. Check out 'Curry Tales of the Empire' today! Read here: jvc.oup.com/2021/05/27/c...
Reposted by Arunima Datta (PhD, FRHistS)
Join us for the new season of the Indian Ocean World Podcast 🎙️!
In this new episode, Dr Arunima Datta discusses her article, "Race, Anxiety and Shopping in the Australian Outback...” and her new monograph, "Waiting on Empire: A History of Indian Travelling Ayahs in Britain"
Listen here:
In this new episode, Dr Arunima Datta discusses her article, "Race, Anxiety and Shopping in the Australian Outback...” and her new monograph, "Waiting on Empire: A History of Indian Travelling Ayahs in Britain"
Listen here:
Arunima Datta, “Race, Anxiety and Shopping in the Australian Outback: Indian Hawkers and Victoria�...
www.appraisingrisk.com
November 19, 2024 at 7:00 PM
Join us for the new season of the Indian Ocean World Podcast 🎙️!
In this new episode, Dr Arunima Datta discusses her article, "Race, Anxiety and Shopping in the Australian Outback...” and her new monograph, "Waiting on Empire: A History of Indian Travelling Ayahs in Britain"
Listen here:
In this new episode, Dr Arunima Datta discusses her article, "Race, Anxiety and Shopping in the Australian Outback...” and her new monograph, "Waiting on Empire: A History of Indian Travelling Ayahs in Britain"
Listen here:
Reposted by Arunima Datta (PhD, FRHistS)
Another highlight: the Reading Resilience presentation by Arunima Datta and Jonathan Fardy. It is so interesting learning more about archives in nontraditional formats with my background as an archivist and as a current student of history. #AHA24
January 5, 2024 at 3:20 AM
Another highlight: the Reading Resilience presentation by Arunima Datta and Jonathan Fardy. It is so interesting learning more about archives in nontraditional formats with my background as an archivist and as a current student of history. #AHA24
Reposted by Arunima Datta (PhD, FRHistS)
From June 2024: In ‘Waiting on Empire’, Arunima Datta resurrects the largely forgotten travelling ayahs – one of the many groups of Southasian migrant workers in the British Empire.
A review essay by @SohelS28:
buff.ly/RIb4CWz
A review essay by @SohelS28:
buff.ly/RIb4CWz
The incomplete histories of women migrant caregivers under the British Empire
In ‘Waiting on Empire’, Arunima Datta resurrects the largely forgotten travelling ayahs – one of the many groups of Southasian migrant workers in the British Empire
buff.ly
August 29, 2025 at 11:30 PM
From June 2024: In ‘Waiting on Empire’, Arunima Datta resurrects the largely forgotten travelling ayahs – one of the many groups of Southasian migrant workers in the British Empire.
A review essay by @SohelS28:
buff.ly/RIb4CWz
A review essay by @SohelS28:
buff.ly/RIb4CWz
Thank you 🙏🏽
Another recent acquisition, @migrationhistorian.bsky.social's WAITING ON EMPIRE: A HISTORY OF INDIAN TRAVELING AYAHS IN BRITAIN
Hoping a student will take this topic for their project on mobility in the Indian Ocean world this fall
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
Hoping a student will take this topic for their project on mobility in the Indian Ocean world this fall
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
August 8, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Thank you 🙏🏽
Reposted by Arunima Datta (PhD, FRHistS)
This is a talk you won't want to miss! Join us in Santa Clara, California 8/1 for Dr. Arunima Datta's luncheon presentation of “Waiting on Empire: Travelling Ayahs in Britain and a History of Migration, Labor, and Counterflows of Empire.”
Follow the link to register:
www.pcb-aha.org/archives/2089
Follow the link to register:
www.pcb-aha.org/archives/2089
July 1, 2025 at 12:36 AM
This is a talk you won't want to miss! Join us in Santa Clara, California 8/1 for Dr. Arunima Datta's luncheon presentation of “Waiting on Empire: Travelling Ayahs in Britain and a History of Migration, Labor, and Counterflows of Empire.”
Follow the link to register:
www.pcb-aha.org/archives/2089
Follow the link to register:
www.pcb-aha.org/archives/2089
Delighted to share I will be delivering the AHA-PCB’s WAWH sponsored luncheon lecture this year
wawh.org/wawh-in-the-...
wawh.org/wawh-in-the-...
July 8, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Delighted to share I will be delivering the AHA-PCB’s WAWH sponsored luncheon lecture this year
wawh.org/wawh-in-the-...
wawh.org/wawh-in-the-...
So honored to have presented my recent work on south Asian performers in Britain at the British Library.
Thank you to all who came and thanks for the engaging questions and comments.
Thank you to all who came and thanks for the engaging questions and comments.
June 28, 2025 at 6:05 PM
So honored to have presented my recent work on south Asian performers in Britain at the British Library.
Thank you to all who came and thanks for the engaging questions and comments.
Thank you to all who came and thanks for the engaging questions and comments.
Here is a local history and archives project I did with archives in UK. they have a whole series of shorts. But this is a snapshot …. Wanna know more about travelling ayahs … get in touch 🤗
youtu.be/w2Jx6RvNMhY?...
youtu.be/w2Jx6RvNMhY?...
Travelling Ayahs in Britain with Dr Arunima Datta
YouTube video by Dig Where You Stand
youtu.be
June 5, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Here is a local history and archives project I did with archives in UK. they have a whole series of shorts. But this is a snapshot …. Wanna know more about travelling ayahs … get in touch 🤗
youtu.be/w2Jx6RvNMhY?...
youtu.be/w2Jx6RvNMhY?...
Looking forward to speaking at the BRITISH LIBRARY soon
May 29, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Looking forward to speaking at the BRITISH LIBRARY soon
Delighted to share that my article on travelling entertainers/performers in Britain just got published in Journal of Immigrants and Minorities (a journal that has for long inspired me! 🥹)
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Entertaining the metropole: vagrancy, repatriation and Indian performers in Britain
During the nineteenth century, several British colonial agents and touring companies working in the entertainment industry brought Indian travelling performers to Britain. However, these performers...
www.tandfonline.com
May 20, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Delighted to share that my article on travelling entertainers/performers in Britain just got published in Journal of Immigrants and Minorities (a journal that has for long inspired me! 🥹)
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Late in posting these but as the term ends … I do believe this event from March 25 was the most rewarding experience and a highlight of the year for me…🤗 thank you @museumofthehome.bsky.social for collaborating and bringing to life the stories of these incredible women.
May 3, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Late in posting these but as the term ends … I do believe this event from March 25 was the most rewarding experience and a highlight of the year for me…🤗 thank you @museumofthehome.bsky.social for collaborating and bringing to life the stories of these incredible women.
Thann you @enghistrev.bsky.social for reviewing my recent book.
Purba Hossain reviews 'Waiting on Empire: A History of Indian Travelling Ayahs in Britain', by Arunima Datta @migrationhistorian.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/ehr/advance-...
academic.oup.com/ehr/advance-...
Waiting on Empire: A History of Indian Travelling Ayahs in Britain, By Arunima Datta
‘Ayahs are, as a rule, very fond of babies, and gentle and patient with them to a degree which would astonish the rough and ready English nurse-maids. Almo
academic.oup.com
April 10, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Thann you @enghistrev.bsky.social for reviewing my recent book.
If you happen to be in London and are interested come visit 🤗 www.museumofthehome.org.uk/whats-on/eve...
Housewarming: A Victorian Home from Kolkata to London | Museum of the Home
Housewarming: A Victorian Home from Kolkata to London - Enjoy exclusive late-night access to our galleries with a special tour of A Townhouse in 1878, led by co-curator and historian of the British Em...
www.museumofthehome.org.uk
March 12, 2025 at 2:42 PM
If you happen to be in London and are interested come visit 🤗 www.museumofthehome.org.uk/whats-on/eve...
Whenever I’m having a rough day …I just have to look at this painting that a former student made for her art series on women and resilience 🥹🥹🥹
February 24, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Whenever I’m having a rough day …I just have to look at this painting that a former student made for her art series on women and resilience 🥹🥹🥹
A moving review of my work in Bengali.
December 27, 2024 at 6:38 PM
A moving review of my work in Bengali.
RUDE!!!!
I heard someone say “I wasn’t even born when Backstreet Boys formed! And I still like them as antique music”
I get it we are getting old. But still RUDE! 😂🤣
I heard someone say “I wasn’t even born when Backstreet Boys formed! And I still like them as antique music”
I get it we are getting old. But still RUDE! 😂🤣
December 13, 2024 at 11:17 PM
RUDE!!!!
I heard someone say “I wasn’t even born when Backstreet Boys formed! And I still like them as antique music”
I get it we are getting old. But still RUDE! 😂🤣
I heard someone say “I wasn’t even born when Backstreet Boys formed! And I still like them as antique music”
I get it we are getting old. But still RUDE! 😂🤣
It’s that time of the year when Mariah will seamlessly keep on trying to convince that all she wants for Christmas is “YOU”…. Although I must admit for me it’s WHAM over Mariah! 🤗
November 25, 2024 at 5:37 PM
It’s that time of the year when Mariah will seamlessly keep on trying to convince that all she wants for Christmas is “YOU”…. Although I must admit for me it’s WHAM over Mariah! 🤗
Thank you, @richardjansell.bsky.social Honored that you liked it. I am looking forward to reading your book over the winter break!
And for people interested in the longer history of travelling servants and the recovery of their experiences, really recommend @migrationhistorian.bsky.social's Waiting on Empire: global.oup.com/academic/pro...
November 25, 2024 at 5:51 AM
Thank you, @richardjansell.bsky.social Honored that you liked it. I am looking forward to reading your book over the winter break!
Reposted by Arunima Datta (PhD, FRHistS)
'While many library services have been recently restored... some feel that the anniversary of the attack should prompt a reckoning about how it happened and whether the British Library and other academic libraries are fully across the immense challenge of digitisation.'
How the British Library cyberattack disrupted research
Academics who rely on the British Library’s unmatched collection are still feeling the impact of a devastating cyberattack a year ago. Jack Grove hears from those affected and considers how another ca...
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 21, 2024 at 8:04 AM
'While many library services have been recently restored... some feel that the anniversary of the attack should prompt a reckoning about how it happened and whether the British Library and other academic libraries are fully across the immense challenge of digitisation.'
Last few weeks have been crazy in terms of travel, crisis&more.But my heart is full seeing the reception WAITING ON EMPIRE &my talks have received: keynotes at the SCBS-Kansas City; Conference on reframing home -London;& talk@ University of Hyderabad. Thank you everyone for your incredible support.
November 19, 2024 at 2:50 AM
Last few weeks have been crazy in terms of travel, crisis&more.But my heart is full seeing the reception WAITING ON EMPIRE &my talks have received: keynotes at the SCBS-Kansas City; Conference on reframing home -London;& talk@ University of Hyderabad. Thank you everyone for your incredible support.